Portugal, Winter or Summer always an excelent choice

With the European debt crisis insisting on opening almost all TV news reports I found myself wondering about how to make some savings in my next vacations... And how about paying a visit to my home country? Residing in Europe, flying to Portugal isn't too expensive and the prices of hotels and restaurants there are rather competitive. When it comes to cheap holiday my beloved country is in fact a player and, although it is best know for it's warm climate and for the beautiful beaches of Algarve, Portugal has much more to offer ;)

Today I'll take you to the center of the country, more precisely to the Ribatejo region. The capital of this region is the city of Santarém, conquered to the Moorish in March of 1147 by the army of Portugal's first king: D. Afonso Henriques. The elevated position of Santarém's castle was back then of crucial importance in order to ensure the defense of the fertile plains near the Tagus river. High on the top of the hills the old Moorish castle has some beautiful gardens one can visit and it's still nowadays the spot with the best view in town.

With many Gothic references in it's architecture the historical center of Santarém is a fantastic place. Since it's not that big in area it's easy to visit on foot. From the Market to the Churches, from the Monasteries to the Parks and Plazas it's always a pleasure to walk around in the city's narrow streets (see photo above). Do remember to stop by the Bijou cafe and ask for box of Celestes, the typical cakes of Santarém made with a sweet egg cream - in one word, delicious! :)

Not very far from Santarém, I would say no further then 50 kilometers away, another unique Portuguese castle called Almourol. Like the castle of Santarém, the Almourol was also an important piece of the Tagus defense line. The location chosen for this fortress is what makes it one of a kind, as you can see above it was built on a small little island right in the middle of the river. One advice though, make sure to go there during the day so you can catch the small boat to visit the island - it's worth it!

As usual a big thanks to Open Galleries for the castle photos ;)

Holiday Inspiration - Affordable Getaways for the Family

Today, with a few suggestions and tips on how to book some affordable family vacations, Nick - our newest guest blogger. A warm welcome, thank you for participating and off we go to the tips :)

When it comes to booking an affordable holiday that ticks all the right boxes for you and your family, you may find yourself struggling to find something that suits both your preferences and your budget. It can be a minefield: do you risk a lower grade accommodation to fit in with what you can afford, try a different resort, or opt for self-catering and miss out on the hotel kids’ clubs? Or just forget it all and stay at home?


It doesn’t have to be a struggle - and thanks to today’s competitive marketplace you can now find a vast range of package breaks at prices that won’t cost the earth, with a whole host of options to suit all tastes and preferences. From cheap Portugal holidays on the sunny Algarve coast and bargain breaks to the island of Majorca, to the more exotic climes of Tunisia and Egypt - there are an abundance of cheap family holidays out there offering a myriad of different holiday experiences - all you have to do is pick your favourite.


Take the Algarve for instance. As famous for its golf courses as it is for its stunning rocky coastlines and golden sandy beaches, this is one diverse destination that places a tick firmly in every box. You’ve got plenty of leisurely activities for the older generation such as golf, hiking and sightseeing (a trip to historic capital Lisbon is an absolute must), and kids will love the variety of aqua and adventure parks available - not forgetting those child-safe shores and long sandy beaches which make perfect sandcastle territory.


Or if all you plan to do is stretch out on the golden sands and sock up the sun’s rays whilst catching up on the latest bestsellers, occasionally dipping your toes into the refreshing surf, then the Algarve is definitely for you.

A huge thanks also to Open Galleries for the photos of Portugal - a beautiful country that's also an excellent choice for family vacations ;)

Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal

In another joint venture with Andre, this next post is all about Vila Nova de Milfontes. A small village in the South of our country Portugal famous for it's beautiful beaches, it's history and it's gastronomy.

Vila Nova de Milfontes is perhaps the most touristic beach location in the Portuguese region of Alentejo. The view from the bridge over the Mira river invites who passes to make a stop and meet the place. The village offers to it's visitors a small and calm river beach, perfect for families with kids. Also several ocean beaches, from those the one called Praia do Malhão (just 5km from the center) is the most know. Located in Alentejo's Southwest Natural park this beach has extensive sandy areas and excellent conditions for water sports like surf.


With it's 525 year's of old, Vila Nova de Milfontes breathes history. Over the Mira river places like the town's fort, the Forte de São Clemente, built in the end of the XVI century to protect the village from piracy, are amazing. Even oldest, the church of Nossa Senhora da Graça (in English, Our Lady of Grace) whose construction date goes as far as the beginning of that same XVI century.

Those who like nature may explore many track paths along the coastal lines, in fact, some of them are among the best preserved in all Europe. Between Vila Nova de Milfontes and Porto Covo, there are several track spots of exquisite beauty. Amazing desert beaches and breath taking cliffs ending on the ocean.


As to the gastronomy, it's mandatory to taste the local fresh fish dishes and seafood. In the local restaurants it's always easy to find dishes like the Arroz de Marisco (seafood with rice and sauce). A word too for the Açorda de Marisco (the same seafood base but this time cooked with eggs, bread and herbs), very good if you ask me!

With and exception to the Summer month of August, it's usually very easy to find where to stay. I guess all options are available, from camping, to apartments and hotels, all you have to do is choose what's best for you and come visit us on your next Portugal holidays. See you soon ;)

Spain vs. Portugal: the hottest holiday spot

Today’s featured guest post is from James, representing skyscanner.net (which happens to be one of my favourite tools for finding cheap flights!). James provided this article weighing up the positives of these two countries to help you decide between them, although personally, I plan to visit both! If you’ve got a favourite to share from these two, tell us about it in the comments at the end!

Often mentioned in a single breath when sunny, gorgeous and reasonably priced holiday destinations come up, both Spain and Portugal have plenty to tempt the holidaymaker. But how do you decide between the two? Check out some of the things that make the destinations special in their own right, and find out which most tickles your fancy.

Chasing history

Discovering some of the best sights of Portugal’s history is easy, and there are a few not to be missed experiences – such as strolling through the ancient university town of Coimbra or feeling your heart flutter in the romantic town of Sintra. You’ll also find many surviving castles and ruins dotted around the countryside.

However, Spain is bursting with castles, medieval towns and picturesque villages of its own. And with wonderful cultural treasures such as Roman relics, Muslim palaces, baroque cathedrals and Modernista constructions, it could be said that Spain just pips its rival to the post when it comes to spectacular sights.

The best beaches

For serene, gorgeous beaches, there are few areas better than Spain’s Menorca, a beachgoer’s mecca that encourages plenty of people to hunt for cheap flights to Spain. There you’ll find unspoilt stretches of sand as well as plenty of hidden coves and ravines for exploring.

On the other hand, Portugal’s seaside town of Cascais offers a great mix of youthful exuberance and history, as partygoers and holidaymakers mingle with historic fishing traditions that carry on to this day.

Fun festivals

Of course, there are some things that can only be properly enjoyed in their countries of origin – such as traditional celebrations and festivals. In Spain, you’ll have the chance to see man and beast collide in its traditional bullfighting as well as the unforgettable spectacle of Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.

Get in touch with Portugal’s past by timing a visit to coincide with the Festas da Ria in Aveiro. Celebrating the Ria estuary, this is a massive party with seaweed covered boats, traditional dancing and performances.

Sunny surfing spots

Thanks to its mild climate combined with stiff offshore morning breezes, Portugal is particularly popular as a sunny surfing destination. It picks up swells from the north, west and south, meaning surfing conditions are nice and consistent, with more challenging waves in the winter and gentler conditions in the summer.

Spain is blessed with 4000km of coastline and world class surf of its own, and with so many beaches to choose from, you’re likely to be able to find a quiet spot to catch a few waves.

If you still can’t decide between the two great destinations, why not pick up cheap flights to Portugal then hire a car with the intention of crossing borders when you arrive!

Thanks to James for providing today’s article! James writes for Skyscanner.net, a cheap flights comparison site based in Scotland. For more information about Skyscanner, or to get in contact, check out the Skyscanner Linkedin page.

Today’s photos come from flickr users: valkie76 (Menorca Beach), szeke (Palacio da Pena, Portugal), –foxhusky- (Spanish stilt dancers) and marcp_dmoz (Burgos Cathedral) The surfing shot is mine.

Portugal and Spain seen from Space

How about that, my beloved hometown Lisbon seen from space!! It's all over the news here in Portugal - NASA's photo of the day is a beautiful snapshot of the Iberian Peninsula taken from the International Space Station last 4th of December.

Taken by night, the photo shows the fantastic light spectacle made by the cities all over the Peninsula. It's absolutely amazing how the lights can so clearly identify the land, allowing us to easily find several of the major cities of both Portugal and Spain.

Very easy to spot are the Portuguese capital Lisbon (bellow near the shoreline to the middle), the Spanish capital Madrid (far into the center of the Peninsula directly above Lisbon) the coastal city of Seville (to the right near the Gibraltar Straight).

Also being the 4th of December a Saturday night, I would guess that half of Lisbon's lights must be from "Bairro Alto". All the way from the Altis Hotel to the streets near Bairro Alto Hotel the city is filled with people enjoying the nightlife. The discos and the many, many bars open till late hours always fill the city streets with people, music and light :)

Now more seriously, let me leave here a huge thanks to NASA for taking and sharing wonderful pictures like this one. Loved to see how my country looks from up there!

Top European Resorts

Thanks to Becky off we go for a list of some Top European Resorts. If you're in doubt about where to go on your next vacations who knows if your answer isn't in these next lines ;)

It's only really in the last couple of generations that package holidays to Europe have become both popular and the norm. Prior to this, with probably a few exceptions, it tended to be the well heeled who traveled across the Channel and holidayed in such places as San Tropez or Monte Carlo. Despite the economic boom in the early sixties and the resultant shifting in ideas, most holidaymakers still went by train or coach to the seaside. Europe was viewed on the television or by film.


Nowadays top European resorts roll off the tongue with a familiarity brought by overseas travel. The Algarve, Portugal's southernmost region would typify this. It is home to nearly half a million people, is very accessible primarily via Faro airport and as such is a vital tourist destination crucial to the Portuguese economy. It brims with a vibrancy during the summer: not only is it awash with holidaymakers but also is an important center for the fishing trade. Almonds, figs and oranges grow throughout, further add to the ambiance of the area.

Who, fifty years ago, would ever have imagined going 'island hopping'? Back in the day Samos, Naxos, Zakynthos and Paros would have sounded like names of exotic chocolates or players in an international football team, not holiday island destinations within easy reach. A flight to Athens opens up the tourist to these jewels of the Aegean Sea. The bigger islands such as Crete, Corfu and Rhodes can offer a livelier, more compact holiday but whichever way round the blend of climate, friendliness and civilization make all things Greek a favored holiday choice.


Spain's 'White Coast' or Costa Blanca as we know it, was always destined to be a holiday hotspot. Benidorm has moved from being a small village into a mixture of hotel, beach and skyscraper and has even demanded the nickname of 'The Manhattan of Spain'. Unlike New York though, Benidorm is dwarfed by an impressive mountain; the Puig Campana reaching 1406 meters into the sky.

If Benidorm is approaching middle age, then it has mellowed accordingly. Not unlike Manhattan, it is a byword for excitement yet has worked hard to lose its 'lager lout' image with such individuals now holidaying elsewhere. It's old town still reveals a sense of medieval Spain, yet the cabaret scene of an evening is second to none. The mountains that surround the town give Benidorm a climate all of its own and its beaches still resound with pure enjoyment.


With theme parks and song festivals, sporting events and shopping areas, cheap holidays in Benidorm represent a great time with good value for money. There's so much to do here.

Once again thanks to Becky for this article and also to Wikimedia and Open Galleries for the photos.

Albufeira, a very popular English tourist destination in Portugal

Today's post is a joint venture between André and myself. André wrote the original text in Portuguese and then I've translated it and also added a few notes and the photos for publishing. Hope you like it cause Albufeira is definitely a nice vacation spot :)

Synonym of beach, cool nights and diversion Albufeira is considered the English capital of tourism in Algarve. Once upon a time a calm fishermen village in the South of Portugal Albufeira is nowadays a full grown city full of life. Throughout the last decades the accommodation offers had multiplied several times and there are now available hundreds of hotels and rental apartments.

Late deals are often available for this wonderful location so do remember to check it out before booking - it's not unusual to get good rates in these promotions :)


With over thirty kilometers of coast Albufeira is well know for the quality beaches it has to offer. In 2011, the council had twenty beaches distinguished with the Blue Flag Award, a prize that stands for it's good quality. In all these beaches, besides the natural beauty it's also possible to enjoy a vast number of waters sports and other activities like water bikes and motor boats, canoing and also several water slides. Excursions to the local caves, diving, para-sailing and fishing expeditions are also available.

As to the night diversion there are two main spots. The first one, the most reputed one, is the Oura - internationally know as "The Strip". On the main avenue there are many bars and clubs where the fun starts early and only ends at dawn. The second spot, the downtown of Albufeira, is a bit more traditional. On the older streets of the village the Moorish architecture mixes itself with modern bars and restaurants. From a tourist point of view I'm sure it's at least a must visit place.


Also in the vicinity of Albufeira (a few minutes away by car) is the Zoomarine. A theme park that offers wildlife encounters, pools, many diversions and even a 4D cinema. Along the most successful animal presentations of the park the dolphins show is simply amazing. Finally a bit about the local food: seafood is the typical food in Algarve so I guess everyone should try it (it's very tasty). Nevertheless, the many restaurants in Albufeira offer many, many other options both in national and international cuisines so find good places to eat it's no problem there :)

As always a final thanks to Open Galleries for the Albufeira photos.

Faial - the Blue island of Azores

As promised let's once again join Nuno and fly across the Atlantic all the way to the island of Fail in Azores. The Archipelago is beautiful and who knows if the promotional campaign "visit Azores flights included" is reinstated...

Throughout last year's entire Winter slow season (from mid October 2010 to March 2011) cheap holidays were almost guaranteed since the flights from Portugal to the islands (for example to the airports of Horta or Ponta Delgada) were free for stays over five days :)

Faial is one of islands in the Azores central group. In English it can be pronounced "Fayal" and it’s known as the Blue Island due to the many hydrangeas fences that can be found on it's countryside. No doubt it’s one of the most charming islands of the nine.


Being the fifth largest island of the archipelago Faial is surrounded by Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira. The most visited place in Faial is a volcanic crater known by Caldeira with 2km wide and 400 meters depth (photo above). There are hillsides intercepted by secondary volcanic formations and the highest place of the island is called Cabeço Gordo, a volcano that's has been sleeping since 1672.


The biggest Faial attraction is it's capital, Horta, with it's old docks and a vast architectonic patrimony. From this dock, year after year, many boats start an adventure in a fishing competition where records are broken every time. As you may guess the sea across Faial island is rich in big fishes like blue and white marlins and tuna.

Horta is probably the most animated and cosmopolitan city in all Azores. Across it's white streets, gardens and squares there are many places to see and many flavors to taste. It’s a city who smiles at the tourists. From all over the world there are yacht and crew who stop to stay for a day or two and then for a few more.


Faial Island invites you to walk through bucolic landscapes like the Caldeira crater hidden by mossy fields or, during summer, to enjoy sunny weather in the beaches of Porto Pim or Almoxarife.

São Jorge Island, Azores, Portugal

Once again back to Portugal to continue with Nuno's Azores Islands Reviews. This time traveling to the middle of the Archipelago to the island of São Jorge (in English, Saint George Island).

You can find the São Jorge island in the central group of the Azores Archipelago's islands. With it's long shape that reminds the shell of an enormous sea monster, São Jorge is also known as the island of the "Fajãs" - enormous plain surfaces that enter through the sea (due to the fall of cliffs and correspondent land loss).


Between volcanic elevations, aligned one after the other, you will see an astonish green plateau, a paradise to those who like to walk through nature. Panoramic views over cattle fields separate with fences of wild orchid’s and heath are assured and also within the plateau's 45km the higher point of the island, with 1053m high Pico da Esperança is also considered the island geological center.


Besides the plateau views São Jorge also has to offer a Natural Forest Reservation with an inestimable botanic interest and endemic vegetation (from Pico do Areeiro to Pico das Caldeiras passing through Pico da Esperança and Pico do Carvão) and in the coastline the idyllic Fajãs and coastal settlements (see photo bellow).


Also from the coastline you may see a few of the other Azores islands like Pico, Faial and Graciosa. In sunny days you may also see Terceira, but only a shape.


All the green across the island's highlands and valleys along with the infinite combination of tones from it's sea and cliff landscapes makes of São Jorge a beautiful place. The quietness of the plateau fields where one can hear the fauna and listen the wild birds lends to the São Jorge's landscapes that old and almost primitive world atmosphere - absolutely unique.

In a few days, next in the tour, Faial island...

Terceira - the Violet Island in the Atlantic, Azores, Portugal

And back to Portugal to continue with Nuno's Azores Islands Tour. Without any more delays off we go to the island called Terceira, another one of the nine beautiful islands of this Atlantic Archipelago...

Part of the Azores archipelago the island called Terceira is also known as the “Violet Island”. Terceira was the third (Terceira in Portuguese) island to be found and coincidently it's also the third major island of the archipelago (after São Miguel and Pico). It has an elliptical shape and it's part of the central group of islands, surrounded by São Miguel (to the West) and São Jorge (to the East).


Hangra do Heroísmo is the oldest city in this island, and has the UNESCO heritage of world patrimony. That happened due to the conservation of the old day’s architecture: chapels, palaces, museums and even the powerful walls from the fortress that defended the city from corsair’s attacks.

When visiting this island, start by the old streets from Praia da Vitória and then take a look at the Gothic Church of São Sebastião. Throughout all island you'll be able to see the sunny houses in villages like São Carlos, Fontinha, São Brás and Lajes.


Besides the architecture and the monuments there´s also green lands worthy of a visit, places where you can go for a walk, highlands from where you can see flowered camps, ocean, and blue sky. One special view is the Caldeira of Guilherme Moniz, a volcanic crater 15 kilometers wide, now used to produce dairy products and cattle - a spot very green and beautiful.


The ocean surrounding the island is very rich in fish, a paradise to fishermen; Scuba diving and windsurf are just some of the aquatic sports practiced in this island. To make off for the lack of beaches there are across all coast swimming pools between the rocks where one can take refreshing baths.

As to the best period to visit Terceira Island is goes from May to September. During this period you will see a festival of color and secular traditions. The festivities of Espírito Santo and also the Sanjoaninas take place in almost every villages.


And good festivities always means good food. When you go into Terceira Island do taste the traditional food, exotic flavors like the rump steak (alcatra) and morcela and octopus receipts are mandatory! Oh, and you can’t go without taste he Biscuit wine, revived at the museum ;)

In a few days the tour continues to the São Jorge Island :)

Sesimbra, a fishermen's village near the capital, Portugal

Still in Portugal this time with Bárbara four a tour over Sesimbra. A beautiful fishing village near Lisbon with very friendly people and wonderful beaches (just check bellow the photos of Sesimbra we got from Open Galleries). In one sentence, Sesimbra is a perfect spot to relax on the beach for a few days of vacations...

Sesimbra is a Portuguese town, in Setubal district, and it’s is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west coast. The Arrabida Mountain, Sado River, Cape Espichel and Albufeira lagoon all belong to the natural treasures of Sesimbra.


Due to its position at the Setubal Bay, Sesimbra is an important fishing town, whose fishing activity, formerly, was the main source of income. Now, besides professional fishing and sport fishing, the most significant revenues come from tourism.

In Sesimbra, tourists look for the famous beaches, fish restaurants and nightlife. In the village we can find amazing beachs, like Californa and Ouro. Also in Meco, tourists can enjoy well-known beaches, such as Bicas and Moinho de Baixo.



Anyone interested in history and heritage of the village could visit the Castle of Sesimbra, the monument was built some years after king Afonso Henriques conquer Sesimbra from the Moors. In Medieval times the village was located inside walls, later moved down near the ocean.


Cape Espichel Sanctuary is another historical monument to visit, is still a place of pilgrimage. The sanctuary is known by the miracle of Our Lady, in 1410. Another place connected to religion, the Fortress of Santiago, dating from 17th Century and it is located in to the beach. The last one receives concerts and other cultural events.

It’s a paradise, near the capital. Everyone who goes there, return.

Pico - an island with a great mountain - Azores, Portugal

Continuing our on-line travel with Nuno, this time we'll get to visit the island of Pico, another one of the nine volcanic islands of the Azores Archipelago. Without more delay, words to Nuno :)

The Pico Island, belonging to the Azores archipelago is considered the 2nd largest island of the archipelago. It's not one of the most developed islands when compared to São Miguel, Terceira and Faial. It's one of those islands where time kept the big fields and gardens scenarios unchanged. Big developments are almost nonexistent on this island.


And when we speak about Pico Island, obviously we would have to talk about the ex-libris of the island: Pico Mountain. The Pico mountain is considered the largest in Portugal and is surrounded by a protected natural reserve. This area concentrates all who like to climb to observe nature (very varied expectations of animals around) and of course, those who like and probably need to do some exercise.


After such a climb it how about a drink... Do you like wine? If yes, then you must try the regional wine of Pico, by far the best wine produced from the grapes of the vineyards of this island of the Azores archipelago.


There are some places to visit, like the Wine Museum (mentioned earlier, a regional product with high levels of demand on the island), the Whaling Museum and the Museum of Industry Regional Whalers.


All of this is solely a part of what Pico has to offer for those who enjoy a simple trip by air or ship to the island. Without doubt Pico is one of the islands with more nature and more natural in the whole archipelago.

Once again thanks Nuno for your participation. Nuno is a blogger who writes on a variety of different sites - you can check his portfolio at Unonweb.

São Miguel - An island where nature lives - Azores, Portugal

Well, if last week ended superbly with a fabulous on-line trip to Mexico with Kathleen let me tell you that this week start is no different. Thanks to Nuno we'll be able to learn a bit more about the beautiful Portuguese Island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago, for sure a destination to consider in a future holiday planing :)

The island of São Miguel is known for being the largest island of Azores and the most populated and visited in the archipelago. Still there are some hidden secrets that I recommend to visit in this island.


If you take a flight or a cruise to the island, you will begin by visiting the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada. This city has some attractions such as the "Portas do Mar" (where the cruises stop and is considered as the marina of Ponta Delgada) and the Church "Matriz". Also when passing in this city, tasting the local cuisine is essential.

By leaving the city, you will see that the rest of the island is very natural in terms of landscape and that the green tones are very intense on the roads of the island. The old roads (now is being made a new one called SCUT) have many years and are used by regional producers since they are extremely close to the fields.


Other spaces that are essential for a visit in this island are: Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, the Pools of Lagoa (several pools with entry fee), The Boilers of Furnas, The Lagoon of Furnas, The Lagoon of Fire (photo bellow), The Natural Pool in the Nordeste, the Lagoon of Sete Cidades (photo above) and some of the viewing points around the regional roads.


If you enjoy abundant natural scenery (which are recognized by National Geographic), the island of Sao Miguel is one of the best choices to spend a nice holiday guaranteed. Those who visit this magnificent island have a desire to re-visit again.

And yes, I can validate Nuno's last paragraph, absolutely correct! Been there with my folks when I was little and the wish to re-visit is here :) Who knows, maybe someday it will be me taking my kids there...

Snoopy Parade, Lisbon, Portugal

And time for a good cause! The Snoopy Parade is currently being held in Lisbon, Portugal where it will stay till the next 15th of August. So far, twenty family sized Snoopys have literally invaded the city streets in order to help gathering funds for the UNICEF Schools in Africa Campaign.


The twenty Snoopy statues are about 2.6 meters high and were decorated by several Portuguese artists and public figures. Scattered here and there along two of the city avenues: the AV. Duque D'Avila and the Av. da Republica I present you, above and bellow, two of my personal favorites.


The blue one is work of the Humorist Nuno Markl and his wife Ana Galvão and the other green one was made by the Sapo.pt team.

If you're passing through Lisbon dont miss the chance to see them! After the street exhibit ends all the statues will be auctioned (reverting 100% of the funds for the UNICEF program) and then who knows were the cute Snoopys will go to... :)

As usual, a big thanks to OpenGalleries.org for the Snoopy Parade Photos.

The best value holiday destinations in 2011

Again with David, this time for one of the most internationals guest post of all. Tagged with no more and no less than eight different countries from four different continents :)

Turkey - The popularity of Turkey as a holiday destination has rocketed over the years and one of the reasons for this is the value for money if offers. Whilst the prices in shops, bars and restaurants have risen as the numbers of tourists have increased, you can still get a fantastic deal on all inclusive holidays in Turkey which will no doubt prove to be a popular option for many planning their summer holiday in 2011.


Spain - Whilst it hadn’t exactly fallen of the radar, the poor exchange rates had meant that some people were abandoning Spain in preference for other destinations with more favorable exchange rates. Times have certainly changed now though and the weak Euro will likely see tourists flooding back to visit Spain, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands. Now offering great value for money, with hotels, shops, bars and restaurants fighting for business, there’s no doubt that normal service will be resumed and Spain will once again be one of the best value holiday destinations in 2011.


Egypt - Undoubtedly one of the most popular holiday destinations in 2010, the trend of Brits heading abroad to Egypt on holiday looks set to continue into 2011, despite the negative press coverage the country received due to the shark attacks at the end of last year. The year round sunny weather is an obvious reason why Egypt appeals to so many people but there’s much more to the country than that. The beautiful beaches, numerous things to see and do and the amazing all-inclusive hotels mean that Egypt only looks like getting more and more popular with tourists going forward.


Thailand - Whilst the inclusion of Thailand in this list may surprise some, anyone hoping to travel slightly further afield on a budget this year should place Thailand high on their list of potential destinations. In past years, a common consensus has been that it is expensive to get to Thailand but cheap once you get there. This is still true to a certain extent but with the number of flights leaving airports from all around the UK and not just London increasing all the time, getting to Thailand is becoming easier and cheaper all the time. With so much to see and do once you get there, you should be sure to consider Thailand as a holiday destination this year.


America - Another country which perhaps isn’t the most obvious value holiday destination is the USA. Always a favorite with tourists around the world, Florida and Las Vegas are particularly popular with tourists. America’s greatest appeal is that there is so much to see and do there. No matter whether you’re a solo traveler, a couple, a group of friends or a family, the US has something for everyone. Renowned for its theme parks, the US is also a favorite with shopaholics as it’s possible to save significant amounts of money when the exchange rate is favorable. Whilst the exchange rate isn’t as good as it was a couple of years ago, it is still fairly stable and you can still pick up some good deals. With more and more flights leaving to America every day from the UK and many hotels and theme parks offering discounted rates because of the slow US holiday market, 2011 may see plenty of tourists heading across the pond to the US on holiday.


The Algarve, Portugal - A destination that relies heavily on British visitors, the competition to attract guests in 2011 has seen prices at hotels, restaurants, shops and bars slashed in an effort to tempt UK visitors back. This price cutting is likely to serve its purpose as Brits will flood back to The Algarve this year thanks to the low cost holidays on offer. The great beaches and Mediterranean climate along with the fairly short flight times and costs will be sure to appeal to many in 2011.


Iceland - Despite not being one of the most renowned tourist destinations around, Iceland is a great budget holiday destination and a favorite with adventure seekers. As a result of its weak economy, accommodation and food costs have been slashed in an attempt to reignite the tourism industry, something that plenty of Brits will be happy to take advantage of. With more flights leaving the UK, it is fairly inexpensive to get to Iceland and the stunning scenery on offer combined with the low cost of traveling and staying in Iceland will make it a winner with tourists in 2011.


Bulgaria - Another destination that has seen a boom in visitor numbers, Bulgaria is still one of the best value tourist destinations around despite its spurt in popularity over the past few years. Whilst it may be slightly more expensive that it was, it is still very cheap compared to other holiday destinations around the world. For those in search of beach holidays, there’s Sunny Beach which is a popular resort with, as you would expect, a nice sunny beach. There are also a number of beach front bars, restaurants and clubs that make it a popular destination for people looking to unwind. On the opposite end of the scale, there is Bansko which is a popular ski destination between December and May each year. Whether its sand or snow you’re after, Bulgaria may be the perfect destination for you.


Written by the team at travelsupermarket.com, a travel price comparison site which specializes in finding cheap holidays, hotels, flights, airport parking and everything else relating to travel.